When you have decided to add a puppy to your family, there are a few things you should ask yourself and your breeder. Follow the suggestions below and you should end up with a wonderful pet and a breeder whom you can rely on.

You will need to decide whether you would like a pet or a show/breeding/Schutzhund dog. This will determine how much you will probably be paying and how long of a wait you have. Show/Breeding/Schutzhund dogs are usually not as common as pets, so you might have to get on that breeders waiting list for a pup. Also, these dogs are more expensive, mainly because the breeder wants to make sure you are serious about showing/breeding/working this dog. They are going to have to put in a LOT of time educating you about proper breeding practices and tips on showing and training. Also, if you can't afford the dog, how in the world are you going to pay for the puppies you produce or the show or trial you need to enter!

If you opt for a pet, the breeder should be willing to tell you why they consider that puppy "pet quality". Usually, a pet quality dog is no different than the show dog except for something minor (say the dog is to big or small to show, it doesn't move according to the standard of the breed, or something else that wont affect your babies ability to love you!). Also, many of us will place a "show quality" puppy in a pet home because we want the puppy to have the best life possible.

Visit the kennel if possible.  The dogs should be happy, healthy, and non-aggressive to you or your family (which should come to the visit also. It's a family decision!) Ask to see both parents. Many times the breeder will use a stud dog that they do not own. If the father is not on the property, ask to see a photo and ask about his personality. Now, it is common for the mother of the pups to not look in very good condition after whelping a litter. Feeding a litter of pups places huge demands on the mother, so she may be a little thin, but NOT skinny. Her coat may be also be thin and shedding due to the hormonal changes caused by pregnancy. She should, however, still appear happy, lively, show no signs of illness, and interact well with you and the breeder.

If, due to distance, you cannot visit the kennel, ask to see photos or a video of the puppies, the mother, and the father. All Puppies should be nicely rounded in shape, without being over fat or too thin. Most healthy pups will have shiny, alert eyes and healthy looking coats and probably didn't take a good picture because they wouldn't sit STILL!! Make sure the pups have been vaccinated and wormed up to the date they leave. Also, ask for names and numbers of people who have gotten a pup from this breeder in the past. Don't be surprised if the breeder asks YOU for a reference too!

Ask to see all the paperwork that the breeder claims to have (this includes shot records, hip and eye certification, registration papers, etc.). If the breeder will not show you the paperwork, they may not actually have them! Many people who get a pet don't ever send in the registration papers and don't care about them. This is fine, but you are paying for a registered, purebred dog, and it's your right to get them. Also, you never know if later you might want to enter obedience, agility, or other event with your pet!

Do not expect the breeder to allow you to pick just any puppy. This is not to keep you away from "the best dogs". Actually, a good breeder will probably know which puppy's personality fits your lifestyle. If you live a very active life and you want you dog to come along for the ride, the breeder will probably pick a pup that is very active and sociable for you. If you are more of a homebody, you might want a dog that is more laid back. Talk to the breeder about where this pup will fit into your life. You're more likely to find that "perfect pup" with this information.

It is your responsibility to find a reputable breeder that is right for you. No one can do this for you. You have a right to ask as many questions as you like, and remember, there are no dumb questions. If the breeder you contact isn't happy to answer all your questions, RUN, don't walk, to another breeder! The breeder also has the right (and responsibility) to ask you questions as well, so don't be offended if the breeder gives you the third degree! They are just concerned about who is getting their babies!

Finally, if you do not want or cannot afford a dog from a breeder, there are many wonderful dog rescue services that you can adopt from. Rescues only charge a small fee, which is used to off set the cost of spaying/neutering and other care and maintenance. If you adopt a dog from a rescue, you may well save it from being destroyed; particularly the older or less outgoing dogs. You would be amazed at the love and devotion that you will receive in return.

There are different types of breeders and places that sell puppies.   Read below if you would like to know which breeder you should buy from.

Reputable Breeders:

• Know details about their chosen breed.

• They screen for genetic diseases known to affect that breed, maintain veterinary and breeding records.

• A Reputable breeder will tell you the BAD points as well as the good points about that breed.

• Will provide quality care for the dogs they own.

• Will allow you to see where their dogs live and the kind of care they are given.

• They are not out to make a buck; they are out to find fabulous homes first!

• They offer a written health guarantee with each puppy they sell.

• Are always available to offer help and advice to their new puppy owners.

• Will assist in the finding of a new home, if you are no longer able to care for your dog.

• Usually belong to a local or national breed club, and they always breed their dogs with the thought of improving their line.

The Breeder types listed below are the ones to avoid!

Backyard Breeders:

• Most of these breeders do not know much about the breed standard, and don't necessarily breed for better dogs.

• Puppies from this kind of breeder are usually the result of breeding their pet quality dog to the next door neighbor's pet quality dog because it was the same breed, AKC registered and available.

• No thought is given to the puppy's health, genetic makeup or temperament.

• Usually, do not screen where their puppies go or keep track of them throughout their lives.

• Are convinced that his or her breed is right for anyone.

• Usually do not check for genetic diseases known to their breed.

• Usually breed to make quick buck.

• Allow the pups to leave as soon as possible.

You will usually see this type of breeder in your local newspaper. Some Reputable Breeders also use the newspaper, but you will usually see (hips OFA good, Parents Champions, Show and Pet pups available, etc.). DON'T BE FOOLED by "Champion Pedigree". Just because a dog way back in the pedigree is a champion, doesn't mean that pup is show quality or even healthy! There are plenty of Champions with bad hips and eyes. Do your homework!!

Puppy Mills:

Puppy mill is a term used to describe a place that produces mass quantities of dogs, be they the same breed or different. Typical Puppy Mills are as follows:

• The pens, cages, structures the dogs are kept in are usually substandard and dirty, although this may not always be the case.

• The dogs themselves are usually bred every season, no matter what.

• Puppies born and raised in puppy mills do not usually get the veterinary care and proper feeding they need, which could lead to problems later in life.

• Puppies raised in puppy mills have not been properly socialized and are usually sold in high volumes to pet shops for quick cash profits at the age of 4 weeks or sometimes younger.

• No genetic testing is done.

• They usually do not sell to the general public. Only to dog brokers, pet shops, dog auctions, etc. If they do sell to the everyday person, they will not usually allow you to visit the kennel!

• Most of these puppies will have multiple health and behavior problems later in life because of the lack of socialization, proper genetic testing and veterinary care.

Pet Shops:

This may sound like a good place to buy a puppy, but it's not!

• Pet shops do offer guarantees, which sound very good to the buyer. However, you must realize that most genetic diseases found in dogs do NOT show up until the animal is over a year old. You're out of luck with a pet shop!

• Most pet shops buy their puppies from puppy mills at a very young age, before the pups have been properly socialized. This is why many pet store bought puppies have illnesses or behavior problems.

• Pet shops buy their puppies cheap, and sell them fast at markups of 400 percent and more. They are in it for the sale, not the well being of the puppy.

• Pet shops offer "creative financing" which sounds nice to the buyer. HOWEVER, a pet is a living thing, not something that should be financed. Also, you may be able to buy a show quality puppy from a breeder for the same price as the pet shops sell their puppies!

• Fuzzy puppy syndrome. Pet shops live off this. They want you to come in and hold that ball of fur, fall in love, and impulse buy! DON'T FALL FOR THE FUZZY PUPPY SYNDROME!! Go home, to a bookstore, or library and research that breed! Find yourself a good breeder. It will save you tons of heartache.

• Many pet shops sell AKC or UKC registered puppies. Just because a puppy is registered does NOT make it breeding quality! AKC and UKC are only organizations that confirm the dog is of pure blood. They do not, nor are they supposed to, decide whether a dog should be bred. Please do not think because a dog is registered it is of breeding quality!

You should NEVER rush out and buy a dog. Do your homework.
Decide a few things first.

Do you even need a dog?

• Should you get an adult or a puppy?

• Research different breeds and decide which one you think would fit best into your home.

• Find a breeder (if you are reading this, you are halfway there! The net is a wonderful place to research your breed and find a reputable breeder near you!).

• Finally, visit several breeders and see if that breed and that breeder are right for you!

Starting one week after you get your puppy (age 8 or 9 weeks), get him out one day a week to a new situation he has never seen before. This takes some planning, but is worth the effort.

8 WEEKS: A walk (off leash) in a meadow or pasture with medium tall grass. Keep him with you by voice. Encourage him to climb over a little mound of dirt or a log. Praise his efforts to do something he has never done before. Walk just fast enough that he has to strain very slightly to keep up with you. At this age his desire to stay with you is very keen. Capitalize on that. The walk should take no more than 20 minutes.

9 WEEKS: Another walk, this time in the woods. He is in taller grass and weeds. He must occasionally climb over small logs (Just big enough to be a challenge). He goes up the hill, down the hill, over the rocks, maybe down a small bank. The perfect setup is where he goes across a small creek. He gets wet up to the chest. He scrambles up the bank to follow you. He goes through a thick carpet of leaves that crunch when he walks. Encourage him all the way. Praise him for meeting the challenge. The walk takes about 20 minutes.

10 WEEKS: The same as age 9 weeks but a bit more difficult. Occasionally hide momentarily from him when he is distracted in the woods. Watch him. Does he notice you are missing? If he does, and starts to look for you, suddenly appear and praise profusely. If he doesn't look for you, toss a pebble to make him notice you are missing. Then call him from your hiding place. When he starts to look for you, appear and praise him. This will teach him, as it is repeated time and time again, to watch you when you are out in the woods, instead of you having to constantly be watching where he is. This makes him take that responsibility of staying with you. Play this game over and over through many weeks until you cannot hide from him because he is always watching. This only works when started young.

11 WEEKS: Take him swimming. You hold him and wade out to knee deep water. Point him toward shore and gently let him go. Be sure he gets his head up and he heads for shore. Have someone on shore encouraging him in a positive way. Another way to approach this is to entice him into the water by going in yourself and encouraging him to follow. Do not throw him in! When you are through get him out and dry him off and go home. Don't let him get chilled.

12 WEEKS: Take a trip to the farm. Let him see cows, horses, chickens and whatever else you can find. This time you can keep him on leash. Make sure he is safe from the animals and let him get close enough to sniff. This outing can take 20 or more minutes. You have a positive attitude about all this. Be nonchalant about it all, as if this is what every 12 week old pup does.

13 WEEKS: Take him on leash to town. Walk him on a main street with medium to light foot traffic. He sees and hears cars, trucks and heavy street traffic. He passes by many people walking bicycles, delivery men with hand trucks, etc. This should be a short outing about 10 minutes. Praise him lavishly for positive behavior. Be nonchalant and very encouraging. When you get back to the car, lay on the praise for his remarkable feats of courage.

14 WEEKS: A trip to the beach or some other special place he has never been. Perhaps a trip to the local grade school front lawn when all the children are pouring out. Let the kids stop and pet him. Let him see and be in the crowd.

 15 WEEKS: Another trip to town.

 16 WEEKS: Your pup's major learning age of his entire life is now over. Hopefully you have given him a very wide range of experiences. If you have done all this faithfully you will have taught him the most important thing of all to learn and it will stay with him the rest of his life, enabling him to continue to learn throughout his lifetime.

17 to 21 WEEKS: This is a bad time to subject your pup to stress, such as plane trips, a stay at the vets, boarding kennel or any threatening situation. Many pups act very fearful at this age. This should be a quiet time in their lives.

Q: How big will a full grown Shepherd Dog get to be? 
A: A male German Shepherd will generally weigh 80 to 95 pounds at maturity. He should be no taller at the shoulder than 26 inches. A female will, typically grow to weigh between 60 and 75 pounds and should be no taller than 24 inches at the shoulder. 

Q: Do German Shepherds shed a lot? 
A: Nearly every dog sheds to some degree. German Shepherd Dogs do shed, but a 10 minute session of brushing every few days will eliminate a great deal of the loose hair. 

Q: How long will a German Shepherd live? 
A: The normal life span for a German Shepherd Dog is 12 to 15 years.

Q: What about hip problems? Do German Shepherds have bad hips? 
A: Many large breed dogs have suffered with a condition called, Hip Dysplasia. Once thought to be entirely genetic, it is now known to be a the result of both genetics and environment. We do everything we can to erase the possibility of Hip Dysplasia from our breeding program and advise you on how to do your part at home in raising your puppy so that the hips develop correctly. 

Q: Are German Shepherds easy to train? 
A: The German Shepherd Dog is one of the easiest dogs to train. Their major concern is pleasing concern is pleasing their owner and they do everything they can to achieve that goal. House breaking of a new puppy is quickly achieved by using a crate for any time that they are unattended. Your new puppy should be trained to go to the bathroom outside within 2 weeks. All other training is easy, also. They work hard to please you and so will train quickly and easily.

Q: Do German Shepherds like to roam? 
A: Under certain circumstances, most dogs will roam at one time or another, but the German Shepherd Dog is loyal and its desire to be with you is very strong. The German Shepherd is easily trained to stay within your boarders and will rarely leave your side. NEVER leave your German Shepherd or any dog outside and unattended without secure borders. 

Q: Are German Shepherds an aggressive dog? 
A: This is a common misperception. A well raised, well bred German Shepherd is definitely not aggressive. They are protective of their family and their territory, but this does not necessarily lead to aggression. A well bred German Shepherd Dog should be friendly with other people and animals. They are aware of their surroundings and watchful of strangers, but they are not mean or needlessly aggressive dogs. 

Q: Are German Shepherds good with other animals? 
A: This, again, is a trait that is necessary in a dog bred for the care and protection of defenseless farm animals. The well bred, well socialized German Shepherd Dog accepts other animals as part of its life. They will actually care for them as they do other family members. It is the instinct of the breed to care, guard, and protect whomever and whatever it considers its flock. 

Q: What about children? Is a German Shepherd a good dog to have around children?
A: Ask nearly anyone that grew up with a German Shepherd and they will tell you that it probably is one of their fondest childhood memories. The bonding that a German Shepherd has with a child is unparalleled. As time goes on, your Shepherd becomes the child's best friend and protector for many years. Safe, sound, loving and loyal. 

Q: We have a small yard, could we still have a German Shepherd Dog?
A: Like any dog, the German Shepherd needs plenty of exercise to be happy, but he prefers to get his exercise with you. Walking him, playing with him, taking him with you wherever you go, these are the things that matter to your loyal friend. He would rather be with you walking by your side than have hundreds of acres to travel alone. So a small yard should not prevent you from attaining a German Shepherd Dog. As long as you can get him out for walks and other fun, he'll be happy and healthy. 

Q: Do females make better pets than males? 
A: No. It cannot be said that either male or female German Shepherd Dogs make better pets. They are virtually the same dog. Females are just as brave as males; males are not likely to wander any more than females nor are they more "aggressive" than females (because neither are); both males and females love you totally and without condition. The only difference between a male and a female is about 25 pounds. 

The German Shepherd Dog is is, without question, the most versatile and loyal dog in existence. They are intelligent, eager to please, and loving. They will cuddle your children and cover them with kisses. They will protect your children and your home. They will improve your life to the point that you will wonder what you ever did without them. 

We hope that you found this information useful.